Planning wasn't on their side, though. The congressman was 7,000 miles away in the Middle East on business.

Faith leaders from Tulare and Fresno counties played instruments and sang hymnals, while nearby business owners called police on the group, described as "left-wing" activists by the Nunes camp.

“This is a left-wing activist group with whom our office has had numerous, repeated discussions through email, letters, phone calls, and in-person visits," said Jack Langer, director of communications for Nunes. "Nevertheless, they decided to stage a media stunt and disrupt the other offices in our building in order to argue, ironically, that we’ve been unresponsive to them.”

Nunes is on Intel Committee business in the Middle East, while many others in Congress are on recess.

Langer, though, says Nunes has met with faith leaders on multiple occasions. For Faith in Fresno and Faith in The Valley, they want more.

"[Nunes] has not been meeting with [constituents] or hearing from them," said Andy Levine, Faith in Fresno.

Faith leaders wanted to discuss the following with the congressman:

Supporting a clean DREAM Act

Committing to oppose the current, ongoing federal budget proposals to increase ICE and detention centers, and to militarize the border and law enforcement

Health care reform

Beginning in February, faith leaders began submitting requests to sit down with the congressman — each request was denied. The denials came after multiple discussions about the same topics, Nunes' office said.

In a letter submitted in March, faith leaders asked for a meeting to discuss immigration issues as well as health care reform.

"We are writing to share with you the attached letter expressing our shared concerns of deportation plans and fears — and our request that you and our other elected representatives do everything in your power to defend out immigrant families and communities."

They asked the congressman to respond by March 24. Organizers said Nunes never responded.

The congressman's staff reiterated that they have responded to the group's requests.

Feeling like they've gotten nowhere, the activist group took to Main Street in Visalia.

On Tuesday, six clergy members went inside Nunes' office and asked for a meeting. They were told the congressman was out of the country.

They persisted.

Police responded to the downtown office and told demonstrators they needed to disperse within 15 minutes.

Clergy had a decision to make — remain in the office and deal with the consequences or continue to wait for Nunes to respond. Ultimately, demonstrators left the building.

"We love congressman Nunes and we want him to do the right thing," said Thomas Weiler, Faith in Fresno.

Reyna Castellanos of Visalia, speaks outside the office of Congressman Devin Nunes (R-Visalia) in Downtown Visalia on Tuesday, September 19, 2017. Castellanos is a DACA recipient and will not be eligible for renewal next year.(Photo: Ron Holman)

After sitting in Nunes' office for more than an hour and speaking with the chief of staff, Rev. Carl Jones addressed the crowd.

"They can't set up a meeting today," he said. "I think we need to give them an opportunity to respond to today. Today is not the end all be all. It's the beginning."

Staff told organizers that Nunes would not be back in the district until Christmas.

"Given that's so far out, we're considering asking for a video conference meeting with constituents from the communities most impacted by these issues and policies," Levine said.